Happy Birthday, claudia603

[dreamflower]

Happy birthday!

The muses were cooperative today-- here's a birthday drabble for you.

Aragorn's POV at the Prancing Pony...

Fealty

I sit by the door, smoking, listening to their soft breathing. There will be danger tonight, but I think we shall be safe. Why did I do it? What impulse moved my heart? I could have aided them without an oath. I know my destiny-- if I succeed, I will owe fealty to no one. Yet I offered it to one with no rank, feckless, careless, ignorant of the world. "If by life or death I can save you, I will." Now I am bound to him by oath. Yet I do not regret it. It was meant to be.

Comments

[shirebound]

Why did I do it?

What an interesting question! :)

[dreamflower]

It is an interesting question. The words are clearly spoken as an oath, and I am sure he would have taken them that way, even if the hobbits at the time did not realize that.

[gamgeefest.livejournal.com]

This is thought-provoking. While it's true that should Aragorn succeed and become king, he won't technically owe fealty to anyone, he still will be bound by his position to lead his people. Since he's not a narcissist, he will lead them not purely for his own ends and desires, but to the betterment of all - including the ones with no status, feckless, careless and ignorant of the world. He's just getting a head start here with Frodo and Co. :D

[dreamflower]

All of that is true. But right at this point in time, I'm sure that he wondered why he did it-- after all, he didn't really know them at all yet, and though he could have said "I will save your burden from the Enemy" he didn't. He said it to Frodo personally.

[surgicalsteel.livejournal.com]

Ooooo. I liked this!

[dreamflower]

Thank you! I'm glad you did, dear!

[sophinisba]

I like this a lot.

[dreamflower]

Thanks! I'm glad you did!

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

What a good look at the qualities of Aragorn that will serve him well as king. He won't technically owe fealty to anyone--certainly to no other kings--but his sense of right and his compassion will always serve as de facto oaths to fight evil and to help those who need his sword or his healing touch. As we say around here, the boy was raised right. ;)

[dreamflower]

Yes, he truly was letting his heart lead him here-- and in JRRT's world that was a *good* thing, not a bad one.

[lily-the-hobbit.livejournal.com]

That's a very interesting question. Why indeed?

[dreamflower]

Could it simply be the force of Fallohide charm? *grin*

[harrowcatliz.livejournal.com]

Brilliant!

[dreamflower]

Thank you! *blushes*

[lbilover.livejournal.com]

I hope that the impulse that moved him was an innate sense of the hobbits' worth and inner strength. I wonder if later he looked back on this moment and understood what moved him.

[dreamflower]

I would very much like to think the answer to both questions is "yes".

[mews1945.livejournal.com]

Aragorn is so noble, but doesn't really know it. I love the imagine of him listening to the hobbits sleeping breaths.

[dreamflower]

I think there is something very soothing about listening to the soft breath of someone else asleep-- whether a child or a pet or a friend or a loved one.

[blslarner.livejournal.com]

And no greater oath was ever uttered! Praise the discerning heart of THE Dunadan!

[dreamflower]

Yes, he definitely had a "discerning heart"!

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh!!!! *clutches my heart* This was perfect!!! Oh, Aragorn, you are so awesome and noble and I just love it. Thank you so much, sweetie!!

[dreamflower]

*grin* I'm glad you liked your little present, dear! I wasn't sure I'd come up with anything, as the last few friend's b'days, I've drawn a blank. But this came to me early this morning.

((hugs))

[grey-wonderer.livejournal.com]

Very nice. I like this one. It's interesting to hear Aragorn's thoughts after the fact.

[dreamflower]

I think he always has a very interesting POV! Especially during this time, when none of us-- hobbits or readers-- knew much about him!

[lindahoyland.livejournal.com]

This was lovely!

[dreamflower]

Thank you dear! That means a lot coming from you. I know you are so particular about the way Aragorn is portrayed!

[addie71.livejournal.com]

Interesting drabble. I like being inside Aragorn's head.

[dreamflower]

I do too, especially at this point in time, because JRRT didn't want to give anything away about his mysterious stranger-- but you just know his mind had to be going a mile a minute, thinking about this situation and his strange new charges...

He knew so much and never let a hint drop, for example, that he knew Bilbo.

[i-o-r-h-a-e-l.livejournal.com]

Aragorn is supposed to be there. :)

[dreamflower]

Of course he is! *grin*

[frodosweetstuff.livejournal.com]

Oh, that was lovely. An interesting question and I love that he thinks it was meant to be.

Thank you!

[dreamflower]

I think by the end of the Quest he will also have a good idea for himself as to the answer! Thank you!

[lilybaggins.livejournal.com]

Ahhhh!!! I love it. Oh man, why couldn't you have been born a Frodo and Aragorn platonic friendship writer? :)

[dreamflower]

*grin* Well, I am, though not exclusively-- since I write platonic friendship between most of the characters! But I do love a chance to show how much love, respect and friendship there was between Aragorn and Frodo (and each of the others as well).

[periantari.livejournal.com]

I love this! I'm glad to have this introspection into Aragorn's thoguhts. :)